U.S. patent application number 14/985311 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for intraocular device with articulated housing structures.
The applicant listed for this patent is Verily Life Sciences LLC. Invention is credited to Dimitri Azar, Joshua Naaman Haddock.
Application Number | 20170189169 14/985311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57530825 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170189169 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haddock; Joshua Naaman ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
INTRAOCULAR DEVICE WITH ARTICULATED HOUSING STRUCTURES
Abstract
Techniques and mechanisms to facilitate implantation of an
ophthalmic device in an eye. In an embodiment, the ophthalmic
device includes multiple housing structures (housings), where
components of the ophthalmic device are variously disposed in
respective ones of such housings. The housings are flexibly coupled
each to a respective other one of such housings. One or more
flexible interconnects of the device allow for articulation of the
housings during implantation in an eye. In another embodiment,
first circuitry disposed in one housing facilitates operation of
the ophthalmic device to sense a condition at the eye or to assist
sight with the eye. Second circuitry, disposed in another of the
housings, is electrically coupled with the first circuitry via a
flexible interconnect.
Inventors: |
Haddock; Joshua Naaman;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Azar; Dimitri; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Verily Life Sciences LLC |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57530825 |
Appl. No.: |
14/985311 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2250/0001 20130101;
A61F 2002/1681 20130101; A61F 2/1624 20130101; A61F 2250/0004
20130101; A61F 2250/006 20130101; A61F 2250/0002 20130101; A61F
2/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/16 20060101
A61F002/16 |
Claims
1. An ophthalmic device for implantation in an eye, the ophthalmic
device comprising: a first housing including a first biocompatible
surface; a second housing including a second biocompatible surface,
wherein an exterior of the ophthalmic device includes the first
biocompatible surface and the second biocompatible surface; a
flexible interconnect coupling the first housing to the second
housing; first circuitry disposed in the first housing, wherein,
with the first circuitry, the ophthalmic device is to sense a
condition at the eye or to assist sight with the eye; and second
circuitry disposed in the second housing, the second circuitry
electrically coupled to the first circuitry via the flexible
interconnect.
2. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein, with the first
circuitry, the ophthalmic device is to sense the condition at the
eye and to assist sight with the eye.
3. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein the second circuitry
is configured to provide a supply voltage to the first
circuitry.
4. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing has
a dynamic optic disposed therein.
5. The ophthalmic device of claim 4, further comprising a power
source disposed in the second housing, the power source to provide
via the flexible interconnect a supply voltage to power operation
of the dynamic optic.
6. The ophthalmic device of claim 4, wherein the second circuitry
is to further exchange wireless communications between the
ophthalmic device and another device.
7. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein the first circuitry
includes a pressure sensor.
8. The ophthalmic device of claim 7, further comprising a power
source disposed in the second housing, the power source to provide
via the flexible interconnect a supply voltage to power operation
of the pressure sensor.
9. The ophthalmic device of claim 7, wherein the second circuitry
is to further exchange wireless communications between the
ophthalmic device and another device.
10. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein one of the first
circuitry and the second circuitry is to further exchange wireless
communications between the ophthalmic device and another
device.
11. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, wherein a total volume of the
first housing is different than a total volume of the second
housing.
12. The ophthalmic device of claim 1, further comprising: a third
housing, wherein the exterior of the ophthalmic device further
includes a biocompatible surface of the third housing; another
flexible interconnect coupling the third housing to the first
housing; and third circuitry disposed in the third housing, the
third circuitry configured to exchange signals via the other
flexible interconnect.
13. The ophthalmic device of claim 12, further comprising: a first
haptic structure to resist movement of the ophthalmic device in the
eye, wherein the second housing is coupled between the first
housing and the first haptic structure; and a second haptic
structure to resist movement of the ophthalmic device in the eye,
wherein the third housing is coupled between the first housing and
the second haptic structure.
14. A system comprising: a base communication station configured to
exchange wireless data; and an ophthalmic device for implantation
in an eye, the ophthalmic device comprising: a first housing
including a first biocompatible surface; a second housing including
a second biocompatible surface, wherein an exterior of the
ophthalmic device includes the first biocompatible surface and the
second biocompatible surface; a flexible interconnect coupling the
first housing to the second housing; first circuitry disposed in
the first housing, wherein, with the first circuitry, the
ophthalmic device is to sense a condition at the eye or to assist
sight with the eye; and second circuitry disposed in the second
housing, the second circuitry electrically coupled to the first
circuitry via the flexible interconnect, the second circuitry
configured to receive the wireless data from the base communication
station.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein, with the first circuitry, the
ophthalmic device is to sense the condition at the eye and to
assist sight with the eye.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the second circuitry is
configured to provide a supply voltage with the first
circuitry.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the first housing has a dynamic
optic disposed therein.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein a total volume of the first
housing is different than a total volume of the second housing.
19. The system of claim 14, the ophthalmic device further
comprising: a third housing, wherein the exterior of the ophthalmic
device further includes a biocompatible surface of the third
housing; another flexible interconnect coupling the third housing
to the first housing; and third circuitry disposed in the third
housing, the third circuitry configured to exchange signals via the
other flexible interconnect.
20. The system of claim 19, the ophthalmic device further
comprising: a first haptic structure to resist movement of the
ophthalmic device in the eye, wherein the second housing is coupled
between the first housing and the first haptic structure; and a
second haptic structure to resist movement of the ophthalmic device
in the eye, wherein the third housing is coupled between the first
housing and the second haptic structure.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to ophthalmic devices, and
in particular but not exclusively, relates to accommodating
intraocular lenses.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Accommodation is a process by which the eye adjusts its
focal distance to maintain focus on objects of varying distance.
Accommodation is a reflex action, but can be consciously
manipulated. Accommodation is controlled by contractions of the
ciliary muscle. The ciliary muscle encircles the eye's elastic lens
and, when contracted, relieves tension applied to the lens via the
zonules, causing the lens to relax, change shape, and thus alter
its optical power.
[0005] As an individual ages, the effectiveness of the ciliary
muscle degrades. Presbyopia is a progressive age-related loss of
accommodative or focusing strength of the eye, which results in
increased blur at near distances. This loss of accommodative
strength with age has been well studied and is relatively
consistent and predictable. Presbyopia affects nearly 1.7 billion
people worldwide today (110 million in the United States alone) and
that number is expected to substantially rise as the world's
population ages.
[0006] Recent technologies have begun to provide for various
devices that operate in or on a human eye to aid the visual focus
of a user. For some types of these devices, an accommodating lens
includes one or more elements and circuitry to apply an electrical
signal to change a focusing power of the one or more elements. As
successive generations of integrated circuitry continue to scale
down in size and power consumption, there is expected to be an
increased demand for additional functionality to be incorporated in
medical devices such as accommodation-capable (or other) ophthalmic
implants. Meeting this demand is constrained by the size of the
human eye, which limits the amount of space available for an
intraocular device to provide communication, sensor, power and/or
other functionality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The various embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the
figures of the accompanying drawings and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing elements of an
articulated ophthalmic device in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an articulated ophthalmic
device including an accommodation lens in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a plan view of an articulated ophthalmic device
including an accommodation lens in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an ophthalmic lens
system in accordance with one embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a system to exchange
communications between an articulated ophthalmic device and an
external reader, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an eye with an
implanted intraocular device in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Embodiments described herein variously provide for an
implantable ophthalmic device that comprises multiple, flexibly
coupled sections. Rather than encasing all components a single
vessel, implantable ophthalmic devices according to some
embodiments variously distribute components across multiple
sections (referred to herein as "housings") that are flexibly
coupled to one another. Such sections may be coupled to one another
electrically via one or more flexible interconnects that, for
example, are made from or are disposed in a biocompatible material.
The electrical couplings may include, for example, metal wires
embedded in medical grade silicone and/or flex circuits fabricated
from biocompatible materials. In allowing for articulation between
housings of an ophthalmic device, some embodiments facilitate
implantation of the device in an eye through an incision that is
relatively small--e.g., comparable to incisions required for
implantation of conventional intraocular devices.
[0015] Certain features of various embodiments are described herein
with reference to an ophthalmic device that provides different
levels of accommodation to aid sight with an eye. However, some
embodiments are not limited to the providing of automatic
accommodation, and such description may be extended to additionally
or alternatively apply to any of a variety of other implantable
ophthalmic devices. For example, a device according to another
embodiment may provide only one level of accommodation. In another
embodiment, an implantable device includes one or more sensors to
detect a condition (e.g., a level of pressure) in or on the
eye--e.g., in addition to, or in lieu of, the device aiding sight
by the eye.
[0016] Ophthalmic devices discussed herein may comprise multiple
portions or segments, referred to herein as "housings", that are
coupled to one another via one or more flexible (e.g., semi-rigid)
connectors. Flexibility of the one or more connectors may allow for
movement (articulation) of housings relative to one another. A
housing may be a rigid structure that surrounds--e.g., in at least
a two dimensional plane--one or more components that are to aid in
detection of a condition of an eye and/or to aid in sight with the
eye. Such components may include circuitry, optics, one or more
sensors and/or the like. A housing may hermetically seal some or
all such components. In one embodiment, a housing is itself an
optical structure that, for example, has formed therein a dynamic
focusing optic (or "dynamic optic"). Alternatively, a housing may
form an aperture that extends around the perimeter of an optical
structure, forming a seal.
[0017] An exterior of an ophthalmic device according to one
embodiment may include respective surfaces of multiple articulated
housings. Such surfaces may be formed by one or more biocompatible
materials that accommodate implantation of the ophthalmic device in
a human (or other) eye. Examples of some materials that may be used
include, but are not limited to, any of various biocompatible
hydrogels, silicones, hydrophobic acrylics, fluorinated
polymethacrylates and/or the like. In an embodiment, one or more
housings include a coating of biocompatible material that, for
example, is formed by atomic layer deposition. Such materials may
be adapted from those used in existing intraocular devices, for
example.
[0018] In the following description numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.
One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the
techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of
the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials,
etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or
operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
certain aspects.
[0019] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates features of an ophthalmic device 100
including articulated structures according to an embodiment. Device
100 may accommodate implantation in a human (or other) eye--e.g.
where device 100 is to perform sensing at the eye and/or to aid in
sight with the eye. In the illustrative embodiment shown, device
100 includes housings 110, 130 coupled to one another via a
flexible interconnect 120. An exterior of device 100 may include
respective surfaces of housings 110, 130 that are biocompatible to
accommodate direct contact of such surfaces with an interior of an
eye. Housings 110, 130 may have different respective shapes and/or
total volumes that, for example, facilitate efficient implantation
of housings 110, 130 in different respective locations in an eye.
In some embodiments, device 100 further comprises one or more other
housings (not shown) that, for example, are flexibly coupled each
to another housing of device 100.
[0021] Housings 110, 130 may have respective circuitry disposed
therein. For example, an interface 112 disposed in housing 110 and
an interface 132 disposed in housing 130 may include respective
circuitry to facilitate one or more exchanges (e.g., including a
unidirectional exchange and/or a bidirectional exchange) via
interconnect 120. Such one or more exchanges may include delivery
of a supply voltage, control signals, sensor data and/or the like.
Interfaces 112, 132 may be hermetically sealed to protect the eye
and/or operation of device 100.
[0022] One or more other components may be variously distributed
among housings 110, 130, according to different embodiments. By way
of illustration and not limitation, housing 110 may further have
disposed therein an optical component that is to aid sight with the
eye and/or a sensor component that is to sense one or more
conditions in or on the eye. Such one or more components,
represented as the illustrative optics/sensor 114, may operate in
response to circuitry 134 disposed in housing 130. Alternatively or
in addition, operation of optics/sensor 114 may generate signals to
be communicated to circuitry 134 via interconnect 120.
[0023] In one embodiment, circuitry 134 includes or couples to a
power source (e.g., a battery) that is to provide power for
operation of optics/sensor 114. For example, the power source may
power a dynamic optic of optics/sensor 114. Alternatively or in
addition, circuitry 134 may provide for wireless communications
between the device 100 and a remote device (not shown). In some
embodiments optics/sensor 114 includes a pressure sensor disposed
in or on housing 110. Data generated with such a pressure sensor
may aid, for example, in clinical evaluation of an ophthalmic
condition such as glaucoma. In such an embodiment, circuitry 134
may power the pressure sensor and/or process sensor data received
from optics/sensor 134 via interconnect 120.
[0024] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an ophthalmic device 200
including housings 210, 230 according to one illustrative
embodiment. Device 200 may include some or all features of
ophthalmic device 100, for example. A flexible cable 220 of device
220 may interconnect respective interfaces 212, 232 variously
disposed in or on housings 210, 230. Device 200 may have a smaller
cross-sectional area (e.g., one half or less) and greater
flexibility at cable 220, as compared to a corresponding
cross-sectional area and flexibility at either housing 210 or
housing 230. At least partial flexibility of cable 220 may allow
for articulation of housings 210, 230 relative to one another. For
example, housings 210, 230 may be rigid and cable 220 may be
semi-rigid. The respective geometries of housings 210, 230, and the
scale and shapes of housings 210, 230 relative to one another, are
merely illustrative and not limiting on certain embodiments.
[0025] In the illustrative embodiment shown, housing 210 forms an
aperture region in which is disposed a lens 214. Although certain
embodiments are not limited in this regard, lens 214 may have
disposed therein a dynamic optic--e.g., wherein circuitry disposed
in housing 210 aids in operation of such a dynamic optic. Such
circuitry may be coupled to receive via interface 212 a supply
voltage and/or control signal from circuitry that is disposed in
housing 230. In response to the supply voltage and/or control
signal, a level of accommodation provided with lens 214 may be
selectively set (e.g., reset). Lens 214 may comprise or facilitate
any of a variety of additional or alternative mechanisms to provide
accommodation, according to different embodiments. Some examples of
such mechanisms include liquid crystal, fluidic, electrowetting
and/or the like. Although shown as being disposed in an aperture
region formed by housing 210, lens 214 may itself be at least part
of housing 210 or, alternatively, substitute for housing 210. For
example, cable 220 may, in another embodiment, extend directly into
a biocompatible material of lens 214 for coupling to circuitry
disposed within lens 214.
[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates elements an ophthalmic device 250
including multiple articulated housings according to another
embodiment. Device 250 is one example of an embodiment--e.g.,
including some or all features of ophthalmic device 100--including
more than two housing structures that are variously coupled to one
another via flexible interconnects. In the illustrative embodiment
shown, device 250 includes a lens 260 comprising a light
transmissive material that serves as a housing for a dynamic optic
disposed therein. Other housings 270, 280 of device 250 may be
coupled to lens 260 via flexible connections 272, 282,
respectively.
[0027] In the illustrative embodiment shown, device 250 includes
haptic structures 274, 284 to mechanically resist movement of
device 250--e.g., to aid in keeping device 250 positioned within a
desired location in an eye. In such an embodiment, housings 270,
280 may be positioned each between lens 260 and a respective one of
haptic structures 274, 284. However, the particular location of
housings 274, 284 relative to lens 260 and haptic structures 274,
284 is merely illustrative, and not limiting on some
embodiments.
[0028] Components of device 250 may be variously disposed within
respective ones of housings 270, 280. Some or all such components
may variously operate to facilitate the configuring of an
accommodation level to be provided with lens 260. For example,
integrated circuitry formed in or on lens 260 may include one or
more photodetectors to detect an amount of light being transmitted
to lens 260. In such an embodiment, sensor data indicating the
amount of light may be communicated from lens 260 via one of
connections 272, 282. In response to such sensor data, control
logic disposed in one or both of housings 270, 280 may determine a
new level of accommodation to be provided with lens 260. The new
level of accommodation may then be communicated back to lens 260
via one of connections 272, 282.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an ophthalmic lens
system 300 including articulated housing structures, in accordance
with one embodiment. Ophthalmic lens system 300 may be implemented
as an intraocular lens ("IOL") capable of being implanted into an
anterior chamber, posterior chamber, or other location of a user's
eye. Ophthalmic lens system 300 is one example of an embodiment
wherein components (e.g., including one or more of circuitry,
optics, a battery, etc.) are variously disposed in--and/or
variously comprise--different housings that are flexibly coupled to
one another. Ophthalmic lens system 300 may include some or all of
the features of one of devices 100, 200, 250, for example.
[0030] In the embodiment shown, ophthalmic lens system 300 includes
enclosures 310, 330 coupled to one another via a flexible
interconnect, such as the illustrative cable 320. Enclosures 310,
330 may comprise biocompatible materials each to variously seal
respective components disposed therein--e.g., to provide protection
for the interior of an eye in which ophthalmic lens system 300 is
to be implanted. Some enclosure material may be optically
transmissive (e.g., transparent, clear, etc.), in an embodiment.
For example, some or all of enclosure 330 may be implemented as a
silicon enclosure, or with any of other hermetically sealable
materials. Of course, other optically transmissive and
biocompatible materials may be used. Cable 320 may also include, or
be formed in, an exterior sheathing material that is similarly
biocompatible.
[0031] Enclosure 310 may have disposed therein circuitry 305
including, for example, one or more of a controller 340, power
source 342, charging circuitry 344, and communication circuitry
346. Additionally or alternatively, enclosure 330 may include a
dynamic optic 332, accommodation control circuitry 334 and
communication circuitry 336. However, any of a variety of other
distributions of components in respective ones of enclosures 310,
330 may be provided, according to different embodiments.
[0032] Controller 340 may include circuit logic that coordinates
the operation of other components of ophthalmic lens system 300.
Controller 340 may be implemented as hardware logic (e.g.,
application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate
array, etc.), software/firmware logic executed on a general purpose
microcontroller, or a combination of both hardware and
software/firmware logic. Power source 342 may be implemented using
a variety of power storage devices including a rechargeable battery
and/or capacitive elements. Charging circuitry 344, coupled to
provide charging of power source 342, may include an inductive
charging element, a photovoltaic element, a microelectromechanical
systems ("MEMS") charging unit that uses natural motion to generate
a current, or otherwise.
[0033] Communication circuitry 346 and communication circuitry 336
may exchange with one another, via cable 320, a supply voltage,
control signaling, sensor data and/or the like. For example,
communication circuitry 346 may be coupled to exchange control
signaling with controller 340. Alternatively or in addition,
communication circuitry 336 may be coupled to similarly exchange
control signaling with accommodation control circuitry 334. Based
on such exchanges, controller 340 may control a level of
accommodation provided by dynamic optic 332. In one embodiment, one
or each of communication circuitry 346 and communication circuitry
336 includes mechanisms to provide for wireless communication
between ophthalmic lens system 300 and a remote device (not shown).
Such mechanisms may include, for example, a passive backscatter
antenna (e.g., RFID tag) or an active antenna if power budgets
permit.
[0034] Dynamic optic 332 may be centrally positioned in or on
enclosure 330 (or alternatively, positioned in an aperture region
formed by enclosure)--e.g., to affect an optical power of
ophthalmic lens system 300 in a user's center of vision. In various
embodiments, dynamic optic 332 operates by changing its optical
power under the influence of accommodation control circuitry 334
(for example, responsive to controller 340). By changing the
optical power of dynamic optic 332, the net optical power of
ophthalmic lens system 300 may be altered, thereby applying
controllable accommodation. Dynamic optic 332 may be implemented
using a variety of different dynamic optic technologies. For
example, dynamic optic 332 may be implemented using a layer of a
liquid crystal material (e.g., nematic, twisted nematic,
cholesteric, or blue phase liquid crystal) disposed within a
material that is disposed in or comprises enclosure 330. Liquid
crystalline materials are one example of an effective technology,
and may be adapted to achieve a shift in refractive index greater
than 0.2 in response to an applied voltage of less than 5.0 Volts.
Such a shift in refractive index is capable of providing a level of
accommodation to correct near vision in presbyopic patients. In
other embodiments, dynamic optic 332 may be implemented using other
types of dynamic optical materials such as electro-optic materials
that vary refractive index in the presence of an applied electric
field. Dynamic optic 332 may be a distinct device embedded within
enclosure 330, or a bulk material having a controllable refractive
index. In yet another embodiment, dynamic optic 332 may be
implemented using a deformable lens structure that changes shape
under the influence of an electrical signal. In yet another
embodiment, dynamic optic 332 may be implemented using a fluid lens
whereby electrowetting or microfluidics are used to alter optical
power. Accordingly, the optical power of ophthalmic lens system 300
may be controlled by accommodation control circuitry 334 with the
application of electric signals via one or more electrodes
extending from accommodation control circuitry 334 to dynamic optic
332.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a system 400 for
exchanging communications between an implantable ophthalmic device
402 and an external reader 405, in accordance with an embodiment of
the disclosure. Device 402 may include multiple housing structures
that are flexibly coupled to one another. For example, device 402
may include some or all of the features of one of devices 100, 200,
250 or of system 300. In the illustrative embodiment shown, device
402 includes housings 410, 412 coupled to one another via a
flexible cable 404.
[0036] An exposed portion of device 402 may include housings 410,
412 formed to be implanted within an eye. The exposed portion of
device 402 may also include cable 404 or a flexible medium in which
is disposed cable 404. For example, an exterior surface of device
402 may be formed by a biocompatible hydrogel, silicone,
hydrophobic acrylic, fluorinated polymethacrylate and/or the like.
Some embodiments are not limited to a particular biocompatible
material of housings 410, 412 (and/or of cable 404), and any of a
variety of conventional biocompatible materials may be adapted for
incorporation into an ophthalmic device, according to certain
embodiments.
[0037] A substrate 415 may be embedded within or surrounded by
housing 410 to provide a mounting surface for circuitry, such as
the illustrative power supply 420, controller 425, sensor system
435, antenna 440, and various interconnects. Housing 412 may
include or have disposed therein other components such as the
illustrative optic 432 (e.g., including a lens structure) and a
dynamic optic 430. However, any of a variety of other distributions
of components in respective ones of housings 410, 412 may be
provided, according to different embodiments.
[0038] The illustrated embodiment of power supply 420 includes an
energy harvesting antenna 455, charging circuitry 460, and a
battery 465. The illustrated embodiment of controller 425 includes
control logic 470, accommodation logic 475, and communication logic
480. The illustrated embodiment of reader 405 includes a processor
482, an antenna 484, and memory 486. The illustrated embodiment of
memory 486 includes data storage 488 and program instructions
490.
[0039] Controller 425 may be coupled to receive feedback control
signals from sensor system 435 and further coupled to operate
dynamic optic 430. Power supply 420 may supply operating voltages
to the controller 425 and/or the dynamic optic 430. Antenna 440 may
be operated by the controller 425 to communicate information to
and/or from device 402. In one embodiment, antenna 440, controller
425, power supply 420, and sensor system 435 are all situated on
the embedded substrate 415. Because device 402 includes electronics
and is configured to be implanted within an eye, it is also
variously referred to herein as an implantable ophthalmic device or
an intraocular device.
[0040] To aid in accommodation and/or to facilitate implantation in
the eye, optic 432 (and/or part of housing 412) may have a concave
surface. While implanted, an outward-facing surface of optic 432
may have a convex curvature. For example, optic 432 may be a
substantially transparent curved disk shaped similarly to a contact
lens. Housings 410, 412 may include one or more biocompatible
materials, such as those employed for use in conventional
intraocular devices. Housings 410, 412 may optionally be formed in
part from such biocompatible materials or may include an outer
coating with such biocompatible materials. In some instances, optic
432 (and/or part of housing 412) may be shaped to provide a
predetermined, vision-correcting optical power, such as can be
provided by a contact lens.
[0041] Substrate 415 includes one or more surfaces suitable for
mounting the sensor system 435, controller 425, power supply 420,
and antenna 440. Substrate 415 may be employed both as a mounting
platform for chip-based circuitry (e.g., by flip-chip mounting)
and/or as a platform for patterning conductive materials (e.g.,
gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, copper, aluminum, silver,
metals, other conductive materials, combinations of these, etc.) to
create electrodes, interconnects, antennae, etc. In some
embodiments, substantially transparent conductive materials (e.g.,
indium tin oxide) may be patterned on substrate 415 to form
circuitry, electrodes, etc. For example, antenna 440 may be formed
by depositing a pattern of gold or another conductive material on
substrate 415. Similarly, interconnects 445 and 450 may be formed
by depositing suitable patterns of conductive materials on
substrate 415. A combination of resists, masks, and deposition
techniques may be employed to pattern materials on substrate 415.
Substrate 415 may be a relatively rigid material, such as
polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") or another material sufficient
to structurally support the circuitry and/or electronics within
housing 410. Housing 410 may alternatively include an arrangement
of multiple substrates rather than a single substrate. For example,
controller 425 and power supply 420 may be mounted to one
substrate, while antenna 440 and sensor system 435 are mounted to
another substrate and the two may be electrically connected via
interconnects.
[0042] In some embodiments, dynamic optic 430 is centrally
positioned in optic 432 (and/or housing 412) to provide optical
accommodation to light being transmitted through both the eye and a
center of optic 432. In some embodiments, device 402 further
comprises one or more sensors (not shown)--e.g., one or more
discrete photodetector sensors that are distributed in or on
housing 412 to sense eyelid overlap. Although certain embodiments
are not limited in this regard, sensor system 435 (and/or a sensor
disposed in or on housing 412) may include one or more sensors to
detect a pressure in the eye.
[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, power supply 420 includes a
battery 465 to power the various embedded electronics, including
controller 425. Battery 465 may be inductively charged by charging
circuitry 460 and energy harvesting antenna 455. In one embodiment,
antenna 440 and energy harvesting antenna 455 are independent
antennae, which serve their respective functions of energy
harvesting and communications. In another embodiment, energy
harvesting antenna 455 and antenna 440 are the same physical
antenna that provide respective functions for time-shared inductive
charging and wireless communications with reader 405. Additionally
or alternatively, power supply 420 may include a solar cell
("photovoltaic cell") to capture energy from incoming ultraviolet,
visible, and/or infrared radiation. Furthermore, an inertial power
scavenging system may be included to capture energy from ambient
vibrations.
[0044] Charging circuitry 460 may include a rectifier/regulator to
condition the captured energy for charging battery 465 or directly
power controller 425 without battery 465. Charging circuitry 460
may also include one or more energy storage devices to mitigate
high frequency variations in energy harvesting antenna 455. For
example, one or more energy storage devices (e.g., a capacitor, an
inductor, etc.) may be connected to function as a low-pass
filter.
[0045] Controller 425 contains logic to choreograph the operation
of the other embedded components. Control logic 470 controls the
general operation of device 402, including providing a logical user
interface, power control functionality, etc. Accommodation logic
475 includes logic for monitoring feedback signals from sensor
system 435--e.g., determining the current gaze direction or focal
distance of the user, and manipulating dynamic optic 430 in
response to provide the appropriate level of accommodation. The
auto-accommodation may be implemented in real-time based upon
feedback from the gaze tracking, or permit user control to select
specific accommodation regimes (e.g., including full accommodation
for near-vision tasks such as reading and un-accommodated for
distance vision tasks, etc.). Communication logic 480 provides
communication protocols for wireless communication with reader 405
via antenna 440. In one embodiment, communication logic 480
provides backscatter communication via antenna 440 when in the
presence of an electromagnetic field 471 output from reader 405. In
one embodiment, communication logic 480 operates as a smart
wireless radio-frequency identification ("RFID") tag that modulates
the impedance of antenna 440 for backscatter wireless
communications. The various logic modules of controller 425 may be
implemented in software/firmware executed on a general purpose
microprocessor, in hardware (e.g., application specific integrated
circuit), or a combination of both.
[0046] Ophthalmic device 402 may include various other embedded
electronics and logic modules. For example, a light source or pixel
array may be included in optic 432 to provide visible feedback to
the user. An accelerometer or gyroscope may be included to provide
positional, rotational, directional or acceleration feedback
information to controller 425.
[0047] It is noted that the block diagram shown in FIG. 4 is
described in connection with functional modules for convenience in
description, but does not necessarily connote physical
organization. Rather, embodiments of device 402 may be arranged
with one or more of the functional modules ("sub-systems")
implemented in a single chip, multiple chips, in one or more
integrated circuits, or otherwise.
[0048] External reader 405 includes an antenna 484 (or group of
more than one antennae) to send and receive wireless signals 471 to
and from device 402. External reader 405 also includes a computing
system with a processor 482 in communication with a memory 486.
Memory 486 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may
include, without limitation, magnetic disks, optical disks, organic
memory, and/or any other volatile (e.g. RAM) or non-volatile (e.g.
ROM) storage system readable by the processor 482. Memory 486 may
include a data storage 488 to store indications of data, such as
data logs (e.g., user logs), program settings (e.g., to adjust
behavior of device 402 and/or external reader 405), etc. Memory 486
may also include program instructions 490 for execution by
processor 482 to cause the external reader 405 to perform processes
specified by the instructions 490. For example, program
instructions 490 may cause external reader 405 to provide a user
interface that allows for retrieving information communicated from
device 402 or allows transmitting information to device 402 to
program or otherwise select operational modes of device 402.
External reader 405 may also include one or more hardware
components for operating antenna 484 to send and receive wireless
signals 471 to and from device 402.
[0049] External reader 405 may be a smart phone, digital assistant,
or other portable computing device with wireless connectivity
sufficient to provide the wireless communication link 471. External
reader 405 may also be implemented as an antenna module that can be
plugged in to a portable computing device, such as in an example
where the communication link 471 operates at carrier frequencies
not commonly employed in portable computing devices. In some
instances, external reader 405 is a special-purpose device
configured to be worn relatively near a wearer's eye to allow the
wireless communication link 471 to operate with a low power budget.
For example, the external reader 405 may be integrated in a piece
of jewelry such as a necklace, earing, etc. or integrated in an
article of clothing worn near the head, such as a hat, headband,
etc.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an eye 515 with
an implanted IOL system 500 including articulated housing
structures in accordance with one embodiment. IOL system 500 may
include some or all of the features of one of devices 100, 200,
250, 402 or of system 300, for example. In the illustrative
embodiment shown, device 500 includes housings 550, 570 coupled to
one another via a flexible connection 560. The particular
arrangement of housings 550, 570 relative to one another is merely
illustrative, and not limiting on some embodiments. An interconnect
such as flexible connection 560 may be flexed during implantation
in an eye--e.g., where flexible connection 560 returns to some
relatively low stress shape after such implantation is complete.
IOL system 500 is illustrated as being implanted within the
posterior chamber 505 behind iris 510. However, IOL system 500 may
be implanted into other locations, as well, such as anterior
chamber 520 disposed between iris 510 and cornea 525.
[0051] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the
invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for,
the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes,
various modifications are possible within the scope of the
invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the
above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims
should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific
embodiments disclosed in the specification. Rather, the scope of
the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims,
which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines
of claim interpretation.
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